Toroidal coil winder



Z of 3 I Sheet Filed March l5 1966 June 24, 1969 J. E. TILLMAN 3,451,631

TOROIDAL COIL WINDER Filed March 15, 196e sheet 3 of s NVENTOR.

United States Patent O 3,451,631 TOROIDAL COIL WINDER John E. Tillman, Albuquerque, N. Mex., assiguor, by mesne assignments, to Leesona Corporation, Warwick,

Filed Mar. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 534,332 Int. Cl. B65h 81/02 U.S. Cl. 242-4 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates broadly to the art of winding wire strands about forms, and in its more specific aspects, it relates to techniques which I have developed for winding extremely line wire on extremely small forms, wherein substantially all of the winding operation is automatically accomplished; and the nature and objects of the invention will be readily recognized and understood by those skilled in the arts to which it relates in the light of the following explanation and detailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating 'what I at present believe to be preferred embodiments or mechanical expressions of my invention from among various other forms, arrangements, combinations and constructions, of which the invention is capable within the spirit and scope thereof.

This invention is basically concerned with techniques which I have developed to wind extremely yfine wire on extremely small forms, which may be toroid forms. My winding apparatus has been successful in winding w-ire as small as .001 in. on extremely small toroid coil forms. One of the reasons, among many, which has made my apparatus successful, resides in the fact that the apparatus for winding which I have developed eliminates the shuttle which is conventionally used in toroid coil winding machines. In my invention which, as I have stated, elminates the usual shuttle, the core must laccommodate only the wire in its hole or opening in the winding operation, and not the wire wound on the shuttle as in prior art machines of this general character.

In the art of winding small strands of wire about forms of small size, which may be toroid forms, it has heretofore been necessary to manually pick off a length of the wire strand to be wound about the form or core, and then to wind this length about the core, and then continue to manually pick off each length of wire strand to be wound. It will be .appreciated that this former method of manual picking each strand or length of Wire to be wound is slow and cumbersome and often times diicult to achieve. It has been one of the major objectives of my invention to eliminate the necessity for this continuous manual step in the process of winding extremely small strands about cores or forms, and I have devised a mechanism whereby the necessary slack or length of wire strand to be wound about the core is automatically provided at the proper times in the winding operation. In developing this automatic step of my process, I have also evolved a structural arrangement in my apparatus whereby the Slack strand to be wound, is so positioned and maintained that it will not become twisted or kinked so that the core wind- 3,451,631 Patented June 24, 1969 ing operation could not be successfully carried out without stopping the entire process and placing the slack in the proper untwisted position.

One of the problems which has been encountered in prior wire winding machines of this nature, of which I am aware, revolves about the possibility of the slack or loose strand of Wire which is being wound, being broken when the slack thereof is wound about the core, and thus is consumed. When this step in the process is reached, if the operator of the apparatus fails to stop the lwinding operation until another slack length of wire is picked out, the `wire may be broken Iwhich will require extra time and work. This objectionable characteristic of prior wire winding apparatus has been eliminated in the apparatus rwhich I have developed and am disclosing herein, for I have provided automatic safety means which eliminates the possibility of the strand being broken in the event that the winding oper-ation is not stopped at the proper time.

This invention also provides unique and novel means for holding the core in the winding operation. The core is removably mounted and attached to this means in a simple and expeditious manner, and the core holder itself is supported and mounted on the safety device in one form of my invention, and in an automatic slack producing device in another for-m of my invention, and in both of these forms, the manner in which it is mounted is simple and eilicient.

In the conventional wire winding apparatus of the prior art, the pulley system upon which the wire is wound constitutes part of the apparatus.

I have provided an appreciable advance in this art by so designing my pulley system and mechanism as a separate assembly or part so that it may be threaded or loaded While it is separated from the remainder of the wire winding apparatus. The advantages of such a construction and arrangement will be readily recognized by one who is skilled in this art.

In one form of my invention, I have evolved a mechanism which is completely automatic to provide the necessary slack in the Wire strand being wound, and this arrangement eliminates the necessity for stopping the drive of the apparatus and slightly reversing it so as to produce the necessary slack.

In this invention, I have provided a combination automatic wire slack producing means and rotary means whereby the core is being wound so that the |winding over the entire area of the core is facilitated.

With the foregoing general objects, features and results in view, as well as certain others which will be apparent from the following explanation, the invention consists in certain novel features in design, construction, mounting and combination of elements, as will be more fully and particularly referred to and speciiied hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of one form of my coil Winder. v

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the coil Winder illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of the coil Winder taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective illustrating a further view of my coil Winder.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the compressed air outlet mechanism for forming loose strand of wire for winding on the core.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the core holder.

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective illustrating the pulley assembly prior to combination with the coil Winder apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of three steps involved 3 in the winding operation of the apparatus of FIGS. l, 2 and 3.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of three steps involved in the winding operation of the apparatus of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a detailed view illustrating the biased mounting of the mounting and supporting pulley of FIG. 4.

In the accompanying drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, I have used the numeral 1 to designate the base or supporting platform of my apparatus. This base may be formed of any suitable material, is preferably of rectangular configuration, and is sturdy enough to support the coil Winder apparatus. Adjacent to, but removed from one side of the base 1, I provide an upstanding supporting element 3 which is fixed in any suitable manner to the base and extends substantially perpendicularly upwardly with respect thereto. Similarly, this upstanding supporting element 3 may be formed of any suitable and desirable material having suicient strength to support various operating elements of the apparatus, as will be explained hereinafter.

I provide what I shall term a drive pulley 5, having a grooved wire receiving rim, Vfrom the inner or one side of the pulley extends a drive shaft 7 which extends through and is journaled in the upstanding supporting element 3 as at 9, and extends from the opposite side of the upstanding supporting element 3 as at 11, and at this projecting end, the stub shaft 11 is fixed to a gear 13. The drive shaft 7 which is journaled within the upstanding supporting element 3 to extend from both sides thereof may, if desired, be operatively contained within a housing 15.

I provide a pinion or drive gear 17 having an inwardly extending shaft 19 which is fixed thereto and is journaled as at 21 within the upstanding supporting element 3. The drive shaft 19 extends through the drive gear 17 to provide an outwardly extending stub 23. It will be under stood that the shafts 19 and 23 may be integral or they may constitute separate elements which are fixed to opposite sides of the drive gear 17, and if desired, they may be mounted in a housing. Fixed to the stub shaft 23 and extending radially therefrom is a lever or handle 25, preferably provided on its outermost end with a hand hold knob 27. It will thus be apparent that upon the rotary actuation of the handle lever 25, the drive gear or pinion 17 will be caused to rotate, and since this drive gear or pinion 17 is in mesh with the teeth of gear 13, it will be caused to rotate, as will the pulley 5.

Disposed below and in mesh with the gear 13 is an idler gear 29 to which is fixed a shaft 31 which extends rearwardly to and isI journaled within the upstanding supporting element 3 as at 32. I provide a further gear 33 which is in mesh with the idler gear 29 and is driven thereby. An inwardly extending shaft 35 is fixed to the gear 33 and is journaled as at 38 in the upstanding supporting element 3 and extends therethrough and rearwardly therefrom as at 36. At the inner end of the shaft 36 is fixed a further pulley 37, having a grooved strand receiving rim. Consideration of the drawings clearly indicates that the pulleys 5 and 37 are vertically spaced` apart, and as will become apparent as this description proceeds, it is about these pulleys that the strand of wire to be wound around the core is threaded. It will be understood that shafts 35 and 36 may, if desired, be encased in a housing.

It will now be appreciated that through the gear train which I have described, both the pulleys 5 and 37 will be simultaneously rotated when the operating handle is actuated or rotated. It is to be distinctly understood that I may use any suitable type of gearing arrangement or drive mechanism for the pulleys 5 and 37, and that such mechanism will fall within the spirit and scope of this invention.

In the form of my invention now being described, I provide a pulley shield designated by the numeral 39, and this pulley shield may be formed of any suitable sheet like relatively light material, and is fastened adjacent to but in position slightly spaced from the surfaces of the pulleys 5 and 37 which face way from the upstanding supporting element 3. The shield 39 is mounted in proper position adjacent to but spaced from the pulleys, as explained, by one or more mounting studs 41 which are fixed to the shield and extend therefrom to the upstanding supporting element 3 to which they are fixed. It will be noted that these studs extend from the upstanding supporting element to the shield in an area constituting the spacing between the two pulleys.

Mounted in and extending from the upstanding supporting element 3 are a pair of shafts 43 which extend rearwardly from said supporting element and at their inner ends rotatively mount a pair of idler pulleys 45, such pulleys being mounted relative to pulley 5 so that a tension belt 47 extending around such pulleys will engage the upper surface of the pulley 5 as at 49 serving to hold the strands of wire or material on the pulley 5 during the threading operation. A similar arrangement is provided for pulley 37, such arrangement comprising a pair of shafts 51 which are mounted in the upstanding supporting element 3, and each of these shafts 51 rotatively mounts a pulley 53 on its inner end. About this pair of pulleys a tension belt 59 is threaded, such belt being in engagement as at 61 with the lower surface of the pulley 37 to maintain the strands of wire in proper position on the pulley during the threading operation.

A significant part of the apparatus which I have evolved for efficiently and expeditiously accomplishing the winding of an extremely small strand of wire about an extremely small core, comprises a frame which I have designated in its entirety by the numeral 63. Such frame 63 comprises a rear element 65 which is operatively mounted and supported from an upper and a lower stud 67, each of which is fixed to the upstanding supporting element 3 and extends rearwardly therefrom and through the top and bottom `of the element 65 and is maintained in proper position by a pair of adjusting nuts `69. The frame I63 operatively mounts and supports a plastic sheet 71, which may be formed of Mylar, and this plastic sheet extends to and lbetween the upper stud 67 and the lower stud 67, such studs extending 'through the plastic sheet and the plastic sheet being maintained in taut `or stretched position therebetween. The plastic sheet 71 is maintained in operative position properly spaced from the element 65 by means of felt or the like upper and lower spacer elements 73. In order to adjustably maintain the plastic sheet in proper position relative to the pulley shield 39 and the element 65, I provide a coil spring 75 which encircles each stud 67 and extends from and between the plastic sheet 71 and `a bushing or the like 77 which is fixed to the upstanding supporting element 3 and extends a distance rearwardly therefrom. Consideration of the drawings clearly indicates that the plastic sheet 71 is maintained in tensioned position spaced from the frame element 65 and from the pulley shield 39, and it will further be evident that the area between the plastic sheet 71 and the pulley shield 39 may be varied as to depth by adjusting the nuts 69 to move the frame and the plastic sheet either toward or away from the fixed pulley shield 39. The area, which I shall designate by the numeral 79, which is provided between the plastic sheet and the pulley shield, comprises the area into which a loose strand of thread is projected in the functioning of the apparatus, as will be explained in detail hereinafter.

In FIG. 6 of the drawings, I have illustrated in detail the core holder fby which the core which is being wound -by the apparatus is held or maintained in the necessary and desired position during the winding operation. I have designated this-assembly in its entirety by the numeral 79, and the core holder 79 comprises a block-like holder or body 81, which is preferably, though not necessarily of rectangular configuration, with the exception that its forward or operating end is tapered or pointed as at 83.

In the upper surface of the holder -or body 81 is formed a slot 8S which extends rearwardly from the point 83 to and through the rear surface of the body. A circular opening 87 providing an adjusting area is formed in the upper surface of the body to extend into the slot. The reference numeral 89 has been used to designate the core which is to be wound with wire, and while I have illustrated an lannular core in the drawings, it will, of course, be understood that various other types and shapes of cores may be wound by the apparatus which I have devised. The core 89 is removably attached to the holder or body 81 by means of a tape -or 'band which I have designated generally 4by the numeral 91. This tape may be made of any suitable material, as an example, it may be made lof a plastic tape -or .001" thick Mylar. The core holding tape or band 91, comprises a single length yof tape having a core holding loop 93 at its forward end which encircles and holds the core 89. Obviously, the loop in the tape will be of a diameter or shape which conforms to that f the core to be Wound. Extending rearwardly from, and integral with, the loop I provide a pair of tape lengths or bands 95, which I shall term loop holding bands, these bands being substantially the same length as the length of the slot 85. The core is mounted in operative position on the core holder by encircling the loop 93 about the core 89, and inserting the lengths 95 in the slot 85, so that the core will be positioned and held slightly forwardly of the point or nose 83. The holder or -body 81 is bored from the side to provide two spaced apart threaded holes extending into the slot 85. A band or tape holding screw 97 is threaded into the rearmost hole into holding engagement with the bands, while a band adjusting screw 99 is threaded into the forward hole at the opening l8'7 in engagement with the band, for varying the tension thereon within the annular opening `3'7 so as to adjust the position of the core 89 with respect to the nose of the holder or body.

The core holder `81 is mounted in operative position by being welded -or cemented on the top end of a core holder mounting sleeve 101 which is mounted for free reciprocation vertically up and down between limits, on an upstanding rod (not shown) which is seated in any suitable clamp or the like 103 which, in turn, is fixed on a pl-ate 105 which is rotatably mounted on the base 1 by any suitable pivot means 107. The sleeve 10-1 is slotted as at 109 and a pin 111 projects radially from the rod and into the slot to keep the sleeve from turning in its reciprocatory actions. It should be appreciated that the sleeve is of such a length that the core holder 81 in all of its up and down movements on the sleeve 101, is positioned adjacent the area between the pulleys and 37. The purpose of such location will be made clear hereinafter.

The base 1 of the apparatus is bored to provide a fluid ow duct 113 which extends horizontally inwardly a distance from an edge of the base. Adjacent the inner end of the duct 113 is a further duct 115, in communication with the first named duct and extending vertically therefrom to and through the top of the base. In communication with the duct 115 is a vertically disposed fluid flow pipe 117, which is of a length to extend above the core holder 81. At its top the uid flow pipe 117 is bent inwardly providing an extension 119, and on its inner end the extension 119 is formed with an outlet, nozzle or fluid accelerator, which I have designated in its entirety by the numeral 121.

In FIG. 5 of the drawings, I have illustrated the fiuid accelerator 121 in detail. As will be apparent from consideration of the drawings, this member is fixed to the end of the fluid Iflow extension 119 in any suitable and convenient manner so that air or other fluid flowing through the extension will exhaust into the member 121. The accelerator 121 is of what may well be termed boxlike construction comprising a rear wall 123, from which extend forwardly converging side walls 125, which at their forward ends are spaced apart forming a reduced or constricted exhaust channel 127. The Walls 125 forwardly beyond the restricted exhaust channel 127 may be of flared configuration as shown at 129. It will now be appreciated that the accelerator 121 is formed to provide an enlarged chamber 131, while the velocity of the fluid flowing therefrom is substantially increased by the restricted exhaust flow channel 127. The purpose and function of such construction will be made clear hereinafter.

Referring particularly to the diagrammatic showing in FIG. `8 of the drawings, the general concept of the operation of my invention will be clarified. In the first step of placing the apparatus in condition for the winding operation, the operator first threads a continuous strand 133 over and around both the pulleys 5 and 37 of the apparatus, such strand extending through the core 8-9 which is held in the core holder 81, and through the chamber 131 of the fluid flow accelerator 121 as disclosed in A of FIG. 8 of the drawings. When this threading step has been completed, the strand of wire 135 which is to be Wound about the core 89 is tied or otherwise afiixed to the strand 133, as at 137, as shown in diagram A of FIG. 8. When the wire strand has been tied to strand 133, as explained, the pulleys 5 and 37 are rotated until the desired amount of strand 135 has been wound on the pulleys, that is, the amount necessary to completely Wind the core. `In this Operation, it will be apparent that the strand 135 will pass through the core 89 and the chamber 131 of accelerator 121.

When the proper length of wire strand 135 has been Wound about the pulleys 5 and 37, the end thereof is tied to the core 89, and the handle 25 is rotated in a counter clockwise direction approximately ls of a turn to provide slack 139 in the strand 135, whereupon the handle 25 is then rotated in a clockwise direction until the slack length is wound about the core 89. At all times during the winding operation, compressed air or other pressured fluid is applied to the accelerator 121 and the strand 135 passing therethrough, and it will be recognized that as long as the strand is taut, the pressured fluid will have no effect thereon. When the slack 139 has been consumed by winding about the core 89, the operator stops winding in a clockwise direction and reverses the winding approximately Ms of a turn to thereby loosen the strand running through the accelerator as shown in B of FIG. 8. At this time, the pressured fluid will act on the loose strand and blow it out of the accelerator and into slack position as shown in diagram B of FIG. -8 thus, the pressured fluid will function as a pick-oftr means for picking off a length of strand. It will now be understood that I have eliminated the former necessity for a manual pick-off to produce the slack length in the strand which is wound about the core. This operation of reversing the rotation of the handle is repeated until the entire length of strand is wound about the core. Now, one of the many advantageous characteristics of my invention resides in the fact that the slack length 139 will be blown by the pressured fluid around the outside of pulley 5, and Ibetween the pulley shield 39 and the plastic sheet 71 so that it will be prevented from becoming kinked, twisted or formed into any other undesired condition which would make the core winding operation difficult if not impossible. It will be understood that this loose or slack strand which is positioned between the pulley shield and the sheet will permit the handle to again be rotated in a clockwise direction for winding of the loose or slack strand about the core. This operation is shown in diagram C of FIG. 8. Tension is maintained on the loose strand because of its position between the pulley shield and the plastic sheet and because of the tension supplied by the springs 75. For the sake of clarity, the space between the pulley shield and the plastic sheet is shown enlarged in the drawings.

I have combined a safety feature with my apparatus which is operable in the event the operator does not stop operation of the handle in a clockwise direction at the proper time, which would, of course, cause breakage of the strand and a resulting stoppage of the operation. In the event that this occurs, the strand will cause upward movement of the core holder 81 and the sleeve 101 to thereby prevent undue or breaking tautness in the strand being wound.

To facilitate the winding of the strands around the periphery of the core so that a core can be completely iilled with uniform wrappings, the core holder 81, sleeve 101, clamp holder 103 and base 105 can be rotated about the apex of the core by means of pivot 107. Any suitable means may be provided for causing rotation of base 105.

It is to be understood that the pressured air pick-off of a loose or slack length of strand is repeated until the core is completely wound with wire.

In FIG. 4 of the drawings, I have disclosed a further form of my coil Winder which involves certain refinements over the apparatus disclosed in FIGS. 1 through 3, and certain variations in structure and operation, which in many adaptations will be found to be highly desirable.

In this form of my invention, as will become apparent as this description is proceeded with, I have designed the pulley system assembly, and its mechanism, as a separate unitary structure so that this pulley assembly may be loaded or threaded separately from the winding apparatus itself. The advantageous characteristics of such an arrangement will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art.

It has been one of my further purposes to so design the apparatus that the loose or slack strand of material which is to be wound around the core may be disposed on either side of the pulley assembly and maintained in this area during the winding operation Without any possibility of the loose strand becoming kinked or twisted.

This form of my invention provides a novel and unique mechanism whereby the direction of rotation of the pulleys about which the strand is wound need not be reversed in order to provide the necessary loose strand or slack which is to be wound on the core. I have evolved a mechanism whereby this is automatically achieved,

The apparatus disclosed especially in FIG. 4 of the drawings comprises a flat base 141 to which is alixed an upstanding vertical apparatus supporting element 143. All of the operating components of the coil winding apparatus are mounted in operative position on the base 141 and on the upstanding supporting element 143.

The separable unitary pulley system and mechanism is particularly disclosed in IFIG. 7 of the drawings, wherein I have used the reference numeral 145 to designate such assembly in its entirety. The separable unitary pulley system and mechanism 145 comprises a housing or casing 147 which is formed of any suitable material having suflicient rigidity to rotatably support the pulleys which are housed therein. The housing 147 for the pulley system provides in effect a shield for each side of the pulleys, and a portion of its top is open as at 149, While a portion of its bottom is open as at 151, and at the rear end thereof, I provide an opening in the pulley housing which I have designated by the numeral 153. Operatively mounted within the housing 147 is an upper drive pulley 155 which is journaled for rotation between the two side plates of the housing 147 as at 157, and I provide a lower drive pulley 159 which is rotatably journaled as at 161 in the pulley mechanism housing 147. It will be noted that a portion of the rim 160 of the pulley 159 extends outwardly of the housing 147, while a portion 162 of the rim of the pulley 155 likewise extends beyond the confines of the housing 147. A further pulley 161 is operatively mounted as at 163 within the housing 147, and this pulley 161 functions in a manner, as will be described, to apply tension to the strand of wire 165 which is threaded on and extends between the upper and lower drive pulleys 155 and 159, respectively, such strand also being threaded over the tension pulley 161 which, as will be apparent from consideration of FIG. 7 of the drawings, is

8 operatively mounted rearwardly and outside the vertical plane of the pulleys 151 and 155.

I provide a pair of spaced apart generally rectangular frame members each being designated in its entirety by the numeral 167 and 169, the spacing of these frame members providing an area therebetween which I have designated by the numeral 171, which provides the area or space in which the pulley mechanism and assembly is inserted into operative position when the winding apparatus is in operation.

Each frame member 167 and 169 comprises a panellike fiat surface 173 which has xed thereto at the top and bottom thereof, fianges 175, the flanges on the frame 169 extending inwardly therefrom toward but spaced from the flanges 175 on the frame 167. Fixed to and extending between the upper and lower flanges 175 on each frame 167 and 169 is a plastic sheet 177, which may be a Mylar sheet, and it will be apparent from consideration of the drawings that the pair of plastic sheets 177 are spaced apart, and that the pulley mechanism and assembly 145 is mounted between these sheets, and each side of the housing 147 is in close proximity to each plastic sheet 177. Any suitable tensioning means may be provided for tensioning the plastic sheets and adjusting the positions thereof with respect to the members 173, and such tensioning means may, if desired, take the general form of the tensioning means shown particularly in FIG. 2 of the drawings and designated by the reference numerals 67, 69 and 75. It also is to be recognized that the inwardly extending iianges 175 may comprise felt or the like spacing members which may be cemented or otherwise secured to the backing plates or panels 173.

In this form of my invention, the pulleys upon which the strand of wire to be wound on the core is threaded are driven by means of what I shall term a rim drive. As one example, from among many, of an arrangement for rim driving the pulley mechanism, I have rotatably journaled in the member 143 a pair of drive shafts 179 on the inner ends of which are fixed rotary drive pulleys 181 which are disposed in driving engagement with the rim 162 of pulley 155 which extends beyond and outside of the housing 147. Any suitable means, which may be manual or automatic, is provided for rotating the shafts 179 and drive pulleys 181 to consequently drive the pulleys 155, 159 and 161. It will be apparent that the drive shafts 179 extend through the member 173, and that the rearmost plastic sheet 177 may be provided with openings through which such shafts extend, and it will be further appreciated that the drive pulleys 181 are operatively disposed in the area 171 between the stretched plastic sheets 177.

I provide what I shall term a supporting and mounting pulley 185 which is rotatively supported on a shaft 187 which is mounted in and extends forwardly from the member 143, through members 173 and 177 if the construction is such as to make this necessary. The pulley 185 is spring biased due to the fact that its shaft 187 is mounted in a slot 189 and is urged into uppermost position therein by means of a spring 191. Thus, in order to mount the assembly 145 in operative position within the area 171, such assembly is inserted therein with the pulley 161 being inserted rst, whereupon pulleys 159 will engage and downwardly depress the supporting and mounting pulley 185 against the biasing urge of spring 191 to permit the assembly 145 to be properly inserted. When such assembly is fully inserted into operative position, the portion 160 of pulley 159 which projects outside of the housing 147 will rest against a rotatable pulley 193 which extends rearwardly through the area 171, the rear plastic sheet 177 and the rear member 173 where it is mounted in the member 143. With the assembly 145 so mounted with the pulley 159 supported on the pulleys 185 and 193, the outwardly extending rim 162 of the drive pulley 155 will be in operative engagement with the two rim drive pulleys 181.

Rotatively mounted in the base plate 141 of my apparatus is a disc-like plate 197 from which a drive shaft 199 extends in a bore through the base 141. Any suitable means may be employed for causing -rotation of the disclike plate 197 through shaft 199. On the under surface of the plate 197 is a continuous groove 201 which is in communication 'with a compres-sed air or fluid line 203 which extends through one lside of the base 141 where it is in communication with the aforesaid groove 201 through a vertical duct. Pressured uid is provided at all times 'through the line 203 and the bore 205 in the base 141 so that such pressured fluid is at all times within the groove 201 in the under side of the plate 197. Fixed to the plate 197 and extending upwardly therefrom is a tubular member in Ithe form of a post 207 having an open lower end which is mounted on the top of the plate 197 in position above the groove 201 therein, and such plate 197 'has an opening 209 therein `which is in communication with the tubular post 207 and `the groove, so that the pressured air which is contained within the groove 201 will also flow into 'the tubular post 207 at all times. Operatively mounted on the tubular post 207 is a reciprocatory sleeve 211 which is closed at its upper end as at 213, so that when the sleeve 211 i-s in its lowermost position on the tubular post 207, the upper closed end 213 thereon `will seat upon the upper open end 215 of the tubular post 207 to thereby close and seal this upper end against the escape therefrom of the pressured air. The core holder 81 is welded, cemented or otherwise aixed to the upper end of the sleeve 211 and is directed toward the winding assembly so that the core 89 will be in position for receiving therethrough the wire strand to be wound therearound.

In the operation ofthe apparatus particularly disclosed in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the loosened strand of wire 217 is wound around the core 89 by the operation of the pulleys 155 and 159 through the rim drive pulleys 181, and when this loosened strand is wound about 'the core, and the remaining wire `which is lwound around the pulleys is pulled tight, a continued manual or automatic turning of the pulleys through the drive pulleys 181 will cause the wire to pull up tight on the core 89, the core holder 81 and the sleeve 211, raising these elements upwardly until the closure 213 on the upper end of the sleeve 211 is lifted from the outlet 215 o-f the tubular post 207 'to thereby permit the pressured air to enter the sleeve 211 to thereby apply pressure on lthe inside of the sleeve 211 which will cause it to move upwardly on the tubular member 207, thereby moving the core holder 81 and the core 89 into the full line position of FIG. 4, thus causing the strand to fall ofrr pulley 155 to create a slack or loose loop in the wire strand as shown at 217.

-It will be recognized from consideration of the drawings disclosing this forrn of my invention that the loose or slack -strand of wire 217 may be extended on either side of the casing 147, and between one or the other sides of thi-s casing and one o-r the other of the stretched plastic sheets 177 to thereby prevent such loose st-rand 217 from becoming kinked or twisted so that the operation could not be properly proceeded with.

With the pressured uid acting on the sleeve 211 as described to move the core and core holder into the full line position shown in FIG. 4, the uid pressure remains active until `the loose loop `or the slack -strand has been pulled over the top pulley 155 and the strand has dropped therefrom to create the said loop for 'the next winding of the core. Thus, this novel and unique arrangement prevents breaking of lthe wire which would otherwise occur if the sleeve 211 was not floating but was xed, and this arrangement also eliminates the necessity for the reverse turn of the actuating mechanism which is essential in 'the form of my invention which is shown in FIGS. l and 2 ofthe drawings.

It is also within my contemplation to produce lthis floating or reciprocal action of the sleeve 211 by mechanical means as Iwell as by fluid pressure means.

In FIG. 9 of the drawings, I have diagrammatically illustrated the general operation o-f my coil winding apparatus as disclosed especially in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

Diagram A of FIG. 9 discloses the position of the strand and the various elements just as the strand is becoming tight and just prior to movement of the head 81 and sleeve 211 upwardly to the full line position of FIG. 4 in order to provide the loose strand of wire 217 for winding about the core.

Diagram B illustrates/the core holder. 81 in its uppermost position forming the slack 217 in the wire lstrand for winding about the core, while Diagram C shows the core holder back in lowermost position after the loose strand 217 has been wound about the core.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for winding a strand about a core, including Vin combination a pair of spaced apart rotatable mean-s on which suicient strand is wound to completely wind the co-re, and around which the strand extends, mechanism for causing the strand to be wound about the core and for providing slack in the strand, pick-off means solely operable `on a slack strand for picking oi a length of said strand from one of said rotatable means to provide a length of loose strand for winding about the core, and said pick-off means applying pressure on said strand Where it extends between said rotatable means at all times during the winding operation a core to be Wound with the length of loose strand, core holding means for holding said core in position between said rotatable means and with the strand extending therethrough.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pick-off means comprises a flow of pressured uid directed against the strand.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pick-oli means includes a uid accelerator through 'which the strand passes, and includes further means for injecting a pressure fluid into the accelerator which is operable to blow the strand from the accelerator to provide a length of loose strand when the mechanism is operated to provide slack in the strand, said length of loose strand being 'wound around the core upon operation of the mechanism causing the strand to be wound abo-ut the core.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said core holding means is freely vertically reciprocable under the action of the taut strand to thereby prevent breaking of the strand.

5. Apparatus in accordance With claim 3, wherein a shield is provided adjacent said pair of rotatable means and a at member is positioned closely adjacent to but removed from said shield providing an area between said shield and flat member, and said area being adjacent to said accelerator and having an open side to receive from said accelerator a length of loose strand when it is blown from said accelerator and is free of said rotatable means to maintain the length of loose strand against kinking or twisting.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5, `wherein said spaced apart rotatable means comprises a pair of pulleys, and said pickoi means removes said strand from the upper pulley of said pair of pulleys and blows it into said area.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein said accelerator is in communication with a line of pressured fluid, and includes a chamber in which said fluid expands and through which said strand passes, and is provided with a restricted outlet in communication with said chamber through `which the loose strand is blown.

8. Apparatus for winding a strand about a core, including inv combination, a plurality of wire supporting means on which a supply strand is 'wound for delivery to the core and between which the strand extends, mechanism for providing a slack in said strand, means operable on slack in `said supply strand for picking off said supply strand from one of said supporting means for Winding about the core, core holding means for holding a core in position for having the loose supply strand wound thereabout in a core winding operation, and mounting means for said core holding mean-s, and said core holding means including a portion arranged for movement relative to said mounting means to thereby afford freely reciprocable motion to said core holding means in response to Winding of said strand on said core. 10

References Cited UNTTED STATES PATENTS Beli-t's 242-4 Harder 242-4 Kelly 242-4 Ma-tovich 242-4 Bucalo 242-4 BILLY S. TAYLOR, Primary Examiner. 

